State Sen. Dan Patrick and his wife, Jan, celebrate with a kiss at his watch party on May 27.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Patrick greets supporters.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Patrick waves to supporters.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst hugs his wife, Tricia, and daughter Carolyn after conceding the race to Dan Patrick.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst talks with Jim Dannenbaum.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst with supporters

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst talks with friends and family after conceding.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst talks with friends and family after conceding.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Andrew Barlow comforts fellow campaign staffer Bonnie Lugo.

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst after conceding

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Tricia Dewhurst and a few of their friends

Photo By Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Dewhurst concedes the race to Dan Patrick.

Photo By Karen Warren/Chronicle

Dewhurst at his watch party

Photo By Karen Warren/Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's wife, Tricia, and her daughter Carolyn, 10, greet guests at Dewhurst's watch party at his campaign headquarters in Houston on May 27.

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick speaks to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick leaves a press conference after speaking to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Channel 13 reporter Ted Oberg holds a microphone as state Sen. Dan Patrick speaks to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick speaks to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick leaves a press conference after speaking to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick speaks to the media at the site of his election-night watch party before the polls closed in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot for lieutenant governor in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst greets addresses the media outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst addresses the media outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst addresses the media outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst chats with supporters outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst chats with Anna McCorkle, 14, outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst shakes hands with Anna McCorkle, 14, outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst greets supporters outside a polling place at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Dewhurst faces State Sen. Dan Patrick in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick greets voters outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick greets voters outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick greets voters outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick addresses the media outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick addresses the media outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick stays dry under an umbrella as he greets voters outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick smiles as he addresses the media outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick smiles as he addresses the media outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick chats with a supporter outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

State Sen. Dan Patrick chats with a supporter outside a polling place at Cypress Top Park as he campaigns in the Republican primary runoff election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Cypress, Texas. Patrick faces incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in their runoff campaign to claim the Republican spot on the ballot in November against Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte.( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Photo By Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

Republican Dan Patrick smiles as he faces the media at a polling place on election day Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Houston. Patrick has been in a bitter Republican primary runoff for lieutenant governor against David Dewhurst who has held the post for 12 years. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

AUSTIN – State Sen. Dan Patrick, riding a wave of tea-party populism from relative obscurity as a Houston radio talk-show host to statewide prominence in just eight years, defeated incumbent David Dewhurst Tuesday to win the Republican nomination to become Texas' next lieutenant governor.

Dewhurst conceded defeat in a phone call to Patrick shortly after 8:30 p.m. He did not immediately promise to support Patrick.

He became the first statewide officeholder to lose in a party primary or runoff in years.

"This election means we're going into November with a very strong ticket with candidates elected by the most conservative voter base in the nation and a team that can articulate the issues the way Texans want them to be," he said. "We're going to sweep the ticket in November This was a change election. Voters wanted a strong conservative policy in this state, and they've chosen bold conservative leaders to keep Texas moving ahead."

Patrick easily outpaced Dewhurst by more of a margin than was hinted at in pre-election polls last week.

The dramatic win, which came two months after Dewhurst came in a distant second in the March GOP primary, signaled a likely end to the career of Texas' No. 2 elected official, a multi-millionaire Houston energy businessman once seen as a likely choice to be governor.

Patrick's win came after months of campaigning that went nuclear in its final weeks, as details of his hospitalization twice during the 1980s for mental-health issues made headlines as part of a campaign by Dewhurst supporters to discredit him and raise issues about his ability to govern the turned the race into a nasty TV ad war in the closing weeks. That, however, seemed to only steel Patrick's support with die-hard, conservative GOP voters, and completed a campaign run that seemed a long shot to many when Patrick announced his candidacy late last summer.

Patrick will face state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a San Antonio Democrat, in the November general election.